Compared to What? The Life and Times of a Detroit Musician

Dan Lewis' life story is a collage of sounds, people, and places that evoke tears, laughter, and nostalgia. Despite being confined to a wheelchair from birth, he has shared stages, and more importantly friendships, with Detroit greats and international music icons including Al Jarreau, Edgar Winter, Elvin Jones (John Coltrane's drummer), Andy Newmark, Bennie Maupin, and Dave Liebman. His life has been filled with uphill struggles to master percussion, having to compromise and settle for hand percussion with the guidance and support of other musicians. His primary genre is jazz, but he is also steeped in blues, R&B, and American standards. Written with author Sally Sulfaro, Compared to What? Life and Times of a Detroit Musician contains a music aficionado's perspectives on the art and the business as well as his thoughts on life, spirituality, and coping. Some perceive Dan as a sage, and he truly is-but those who know him well also realize he's no saint. Herein is his unvarnished memoir.